Food, friends, beer make Stocktoberfest unique brew

There's not one but two days of brews and brats taking place in Stockton next weekend.

Jo Ann Kirby

There's not one but two days of brews and brats taking place in Stockton next weekend.

A special party area down on the waterfront will be turned into an outdoor beer garden with long tables, wooden benches and plenty of big steins reminiscent of a German Oktoberfest.

"This is the most fun event we put on. Last year we had just under 1,000 people turn out," Chris Kotsoglou of Downtown Stockton Alliance said of Stocktoberfest. "This is our 12th year and it's been so successful we thought we'd make it two days instead of one and have one day be family friendly."

Keg-lifting competitions, craft beers on tap, sausages, home brews, chicken dance dance-offs and, of course, beer stein holding competitions are highlights of the event, which is modeled after a German Oktoberfest with a Stockton twist.

Thus the name - Stocktoberfest.

"We have some brewers talking about the beer making process," Kotsoglou said.

Nearly two dozen beers will available, everything from Liberty Ale and Heineken to Newcastle and Coors Light. And Stockton's homebrew club - the Brew Angels - will be sharing their award-winning crafted specialities.

"We were invited to serve beer and to be an educational resource for people about beer," Rick Reineman of Brew Angels said. "Maybe if we're lucky we'll pick up one or two new members."

One beer fan who attended last year said he's bringing more friends and staying over.

"They had some fun contests with kegs. They had really good food. It was a nice atmosphere. It was an intimate setting - you know, a kind of get together with all your friends," Jason Pipsworth, 37, of Oakdale, said. "I brought a friend last year and I'm going this year. I'm bringing seven friends this time. There's a package deal at the University Plaza Waterfront Hotel that we are going to do, so we're taking advantage of that."

Beer isn't the only thing on tap. Food vendors will be hawking pretzels, sausage, strudel and other nom-nom treats.

While the Saturday celebration is for adults 21 and older, the Sunday add-on is full of kid-friendly activities.

"We're going to have Animal Protection League doing some stuff like puppy races. We'll also have balloon animals, face painting," Kotsoglou said. "We've added a lot of activities to make Sunday a great day for families with kids."

Admission packages are available that include a beer stein, one free beer and other amenities. Participants who wear a German-themed costume will receive a discount on beer.